President Trump and Colombia's president have intensified the rhetoric of their war of words, further raising tensions in their relations following US forces attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power.
"He has cocaine mills and processing labs and that won't last much longer," Trump remarked.
Growing Threats and Claims
Talking to reporters over the weekend, the US president threatened analogous use of force towards the South American nation, asserting the country is also "very ill" and governed by a sick man who enjoys creating narcotics and trafficking it to the US."
Although Colombia remains the globe's biggest cocaine-producing country, authorities have found no indication implicating Gustavo Petro, elected two years ago, is in any way involved in the business.
A Deteriorating Alliance
Colombia was historically a key ally of Washington in the struggle combating drug cartels and enjoyed wide political approval in Washington, however, the relationship have deteriorated significantly since Trump assumed the presidency.
The nation's narcotics trade is mainly overseen by criminal organizations like one major cartel, another leftist insurgency and renegade units of the demobilized Farc, the majority of whose members disbanded following a landmark accord.
Petro's Defiant Response
Upon being questioned whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump replied: "It sounds good to me."
President Petro, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, categorically refuted these allegations. "I am not illegitimate and certainly not involved in narcotics," he stated.
"He comments without knowledge. End the false accusations," he expressed in a post.
"Should American forces attack rural communities, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. And if they detain the nation's leader, whom a significant portion of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the nation," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Statesman
He passed a period in his early life participating of the leftist M-19 armed organization although reports indicate he did not participated in combat. Upon leaving the group, he participated in writing a new constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as an influential politician. He held the office of mayor of Bogotá prior to his election the presidency.
"I made a vow not to touch arms again ... but for the homeland I will take up weapons once more," he affirmed.
Increased Security and Broad Opposition
Minister Pedro Sánchez reported that the president’s security detail was strengthened.
Several members of Colombia’s right wing opposition have allied themselves with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have denounced the threats of American military action on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Strains
Washington revoked the president's entry visa after he called on US military personnel to refuse any illegal orders. Later, in October, authorities imposed financial sanctions against the president, his wife and several key allies.
At the same time while America bolstered its military presence in the Caribbean and targeting suspected drug boats to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed operations on maritime targets in the eastern Pacific region near Colombia.
